Outdoor pursuits
HOORAY! The HARCOURT ARBORETUM has just reopened! Only a
short distance from town, in Nuneham Courtenay, it is a peaceful 130-
acre site, a perpetually changing feast of trees and flowering shrubs…
to say nothing of the (unwanted) resident peacocks. Its affiliate, the
OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN, in the city centre, has also now
reopened, though admission is by pre-booked time slot, unless you are
a Friend of the Gardens or have an Annual Pass.
After our long lockdown period in such tantalising weather, many
NATIONAL TRUST properties are beginning to reopen, albeit with
limitations. Currently, only gardens, grounds and car parks have
reopened, but not houses. Moreover, entrance must be pre-booked.
My perusal of the local NT sites is encouraging, so below is a list of
those that already are open. It is equally encouraging to learn that the
NT is continuing to try to open more and more sites, so by the time you
read this, more of your favourite places will once again be accessible.
WADDESDON MANOR, Aylesbury, Bucks
BADBURY HILL, Coleshill, Nr Swindon
BASILDON PARK, Reading, Berks
THE VYNE, Basingstoke, Hants
ASHDOWN HOUSE, Lambourn, Berks
STOWE, Buckingham, Bucks
HUGHENDEN HOUSE, High Wycombe, Bucks
CLIVEDEN, Maidenhead, Berks
and further afield:
OSTERLEY PARK, Isleworth, Middx
CANONS ASHBY, Daventry, Northants
CHARLECOTE PARK, Warwick, Warwickshire
Once again, by the time this is published, there will be a lot more choice
– and who knows, some of the buildings might even be open to the
public again, so do consult the relevant website for up to date
information.
Ruth Cameron